UPDATE: A groundbreaking artificial intelligence tool, Ovum, has just launched in Australia, promising to transform women’s health care by addressing long-standing gender inequities in the medical system. This innovative app aims to empower women who have historically been dismissed or ignored by health professionals regarding their health concerns.
More than half of Australian women live with a chronic health condition, often waiting years for accurate diagnoses. Many have reported feeling gaslit by medical practitioners, as highlighted by Mary Spanos, who suffered debilitating symptoms of endometriosis for over a decade before receiving a diagnosis. “I honestly thought it was all in my head,” Spanos shared, emphasizing the urgent need for better support and understanding in women’s health.
The urgency of this issue is echoed in the experience of Grace Lam, a former senior fashion editor for Vogue China. Approaching 50, Lam faced sudden and severe health issues, including insomnia and extreme brain fog. “My symptoms hit me like a rocket overnight,” she recalled. Despite seeking help, she felt her GP failed to address her concerns adequately, leading her to research perimenopause symptoms online.
Ovum, founded by Ariella Heffernan-Marks, is the result of four years of development, including two clinical trials at The Royal Hospital for Women and St George Hospital. Heffernan-Marks, who experienced her own struggles with chronic migraines and dismissive specialists, recognized the need for a tool that integrates women’s health data across various medical professionals. “Women are feeling the bias in the healthcare system,” she said, noting that they have been excluded from clinical trials for decades, affecting treatment options.
The AI technology behind Ovum utilizes female-centric medical literature to provide insights into women’s health issues. It assists users in logging their symptoms, identifying health patterns, and creating discussion points for medical consultations. While not a diagnostic tool, it serves as a valuable starting point for meaningful conversations with healthcare providers.
Moreover, users can opt to share their anonymized data with researchers, contributing to advancements in medications and treatments. Heffernan-Marks emphasizes the importance of data protection, assuring users that Ovum complies with national and global standards for privacy.
“Ovum is about addressing the structural, integrated, and research barriers in women’s health,” Heffernan-Marks stated. “We have decades of medical research to catch up on, and AI will help us do that.”
As this innovative tool becomes available, it represents a significant shift in how women’s health is approached, aiming to create a safe space for women while bridging the health data gap. With Ovum, women can finally take control of their health journeys and demand the care they deserve.
As the conversation around women’s health evolves, all eyes will be on the impact of Ovum in the coming months. Stay tuned for further developments as this story unfolds.
